Text: Malachi 2:17-3:7
Subject: The Coming King
Title: It’s All About Jesus
As we have gone through the book of Malachi in the past couple of weeks we have seen that although the prophecy is meant for the nation of Israel, every part of it has a practical application for Christians as well. We’ve seen how much God loves us and even cares for His enemies, even though He hates the fact that they are His enemies. He will reveal Himself to all peoples. We have seen how He wants us to give our best to Him. He is not happy with being second in your life. Last week we saw that as a “Royal Priesthood” God expects His people to be people of integrity. And we saw how special the institution of marriage is to God.
Today we begin Malachi 3:1-7 by setting it up with what the prophet says in the last verse of chapter 2. God is tired of playing games with His people. “You have wearied the Lord with your words…” The things that God’s people say and do out of religious habit have become a point of contention with Him. Playing religious games – showing up for church for no apparent reason; quoting scripture like it is some magic spell to be cast; praying for blessing without obedience – all these things weary God. Add to that the fact that His people have become so dense that they don’t even understand why He is wearied, and I don’t know what keeps the Lord from throwing up His hands and saying, “I give up.” The children of God have begun to call evil good and to say that God delights in them. And if that is not so, then “Where is the God of justice?”
The same question is being asked today. If the world is so bad and it seems that things are going to hell in a hand - basket, then where is the God of justice? Knowing Malachi’s burden for his nation, I have to believe that he couldn’t wait for them to finally ask that question. And his answer? I want you to know something. You who are called God’s children have come to the mistaken conclusion that the relationship is all about you. Malachi tells us today, “It is not about us, but it is all about Jesus.” The Messiah is coming. Are you ready?
I. JESUS, THE MESSENGER (verse 1)
A. Preparing the Way. “Behold, I send My messenger and he will prepare the way for Me.” We can easily associate this messenger with John the Baptist. All four gospels clearly recognized John as the fulfillment of “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3) The children of Israel were being given one last chance turn to God. Malachi was the last of God’s messengers (his name means “My messenger”) until John the Baptist shows up on the scene some 450 years later. God had sent His messengers, the prophets, to them for the past 1000 years and they have continued to ignore them. It is no wonder that the voice of God was silent for those 450 years between the testaments. They weren’t listening anyhow. But just when you least expect it, God will send His messenger to prepare the way and “the Lord, whom you seek, will come to His temple.” Jesus was taken to the temple for his dedication 40 days after His birth. He was in the temple amazing the teachers when He was 12. During His ministry, He was often found in the temple teaching. “The Lord, Whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple…” He was there and nobody understood. Jesus shows up in His temple every time we gather together. How often is it that we walk away though, saying, “I just didn’t get anything today?” Remember? It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus. He is here today. He said that the church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we come together, Jesus is magnified. Just because we don’t see visible manifestations of His presence does not mean that He is not here. We can expect those things every time we come together, but they should never be the barometer of God’s divine presence.
B. Preserving the Covenant. Who is coming to the temple? “Even the Messenger of the covenant in whom you delight.” John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messenger of the covenant. Jesus is the Messenger of the covenant in that He fulfills the Old Covenant and brings the New. Not only is He the messenger of the covenant, He Himself is the covenant. And HE will come suddenly. The word literally means instantly. The arrival of God’s messenger is imminent. God’s people delight in the prospect of Christ’s return. Some will be surprised. It was true in Malachi’s day and is true today. We know Jesus is coming back and we think we know what must transpire before He does. The fact is that God is sovereign and Jesus will return when the Father decides to send Him. But one thing we know for sure; it is imminent and will be sudden. As in His first advent, Jesus is not coming the second time to destroy the Old Covenant but as a complete fulfillment of all that has been prophesied about Him. God made a covenant and is faithful to keep it.
C. Procuring the Future. “Behold, He is coming.” He’s coming in power. We’ll hail the blessed hour. We shall see the King when He comes. There are so many scripture verses that tell us Jesus is coming back. John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself…” Revelation 22: 7, “Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Verse 12, “And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with me…” Verse 20, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Do you think that Jesus means what He says? Is He coming back? Is the future safe for you? Undoubtedly Jesus is returning. And when He comes, He will have a purpose.
II. JESUS THE PURIFIER (verses 2-5)
A. The Power of His Presence. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?” When the glory of God is evident, the proper response is to fall on your face in reverence. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, “Indeed it came to pass, that when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music and praised the Lord saying, ‘For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,’ that the house, the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” And on the Mount of transfiguration, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying, ‘This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him.’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.” That is the visible manifestation of God’s power. We also know that when His people gather together in unity there His power becomes a reality. It is the power to continue the ministry Jesus began.
B. The Process of Purification. When Jesus appears it will be for a purpose. “For He is like a refiner’s fire and like a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.” Perhaps you have heard this story, but it is worth repeating. Some women in a small church were getting together to have bible study. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady’s opinion was that is was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her. "But Sir" she said, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured." The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Christ sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; "the very hairs of your head are all numbered." As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had forgotten to mention that the only way that he knows when the process of purifying is complete when he sees his own image reflected in the silver.... What is part of that purification process? “John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The baptism in the Holy Spirit not only empowers us, but also is a refiner’s fire. The Holy Spirit keenly hones us to razor sharpness to the sin in our lives enables us to glorify Christ by walking in holiness under His guidance
C. The Purging of Pretenders. “He will purify the sons of Levi (all Christians) and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.” . Verse 4, “Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the Lord.” When we are constantly aware of the sin in our lives, we are enabled to seek forgiveness of sin in order that we may offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. That is our spiritual act of worship. That is the kind of sacrifice that is offered in righteousness. Remember the question back in 2:17 – Where is the God of Justice? – Malachi now gets around to answering that. Jesus is coming to judge and His judgment will be swift. “I will be a swift witness.” John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already…” God’s judgment is swift in that if you in Christ you are good to go. If you are not, you are good to go – but probably not where you want to go. Now Malachi gives a list of the type of offenders who will be judged; sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and those who turn away the alien. Who is God purging and purifying? The sons of Levi. The priestly people. There are those who call themselves the children of God who continue in their sin as if the blood of Christ gives them liberty to live the way they want. But Jesus will not only come as a judge, He will sit in the witness chair against those who are not purified.
III.JESUS, THE ROCK. (Verses 6-7)
A. Never Changing. “I am the Lord. I do not change”. God is immutable. His word is as good today as it was 3000 years ago and it will be as good when He comes to reign in eternity. James 1:17, “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
B. Ever merciful. Because God is merciful, the refiner’s fire that He sends is different than other fires. It does not say in verse 2 that he is like a forest fire, or like an incinerator’s fire. It says that he is like a refiner’s fire. A forest fire destroys indiscriminately. An incinerator consumes completely. But verse 6 says, "I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed -- you are not destroyed.” He is a refiner’s fire, and that makes all the difference. A refiner’s fire does not destroy indiscriminately like a forest fire. A refiner’s fire does not consume completely like the fire of an incinerator. A refiner’s fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. He is like a refiner’s fire. Lamentations says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”
C. Forever Faithful. “Return to Me and I will return to you.” God is the patient Father waiting for the prodigal son to return. He is not there to condemn when you come back. He doesn’t point out all your faults. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. God waits for your return to wrap His loving arms around you and say welcome home. My son/daughter once was lost, but now is found; was blind, but now sees. Great is Your faithfulness.
Booker T. Washington describes meeting an ex-slave from Virginia in his book Up From Slavery: "I found that this man had made a contract with his master, two or three years previous to the Emancipation Proclamation, to the effect that the slave was to be permitted to buy himself, by paying so much per year for his body; and while he was paying for himself, he was to be permitted to labor where and for whom he pleased.
" Finding that he could secure better wages in Ohio, he went there. When freedom came, he was still in debt to his master some three hundred dollars. Notwithstanding that the Emancipation Proclamation freed him from any obligation to his master, this black man walked the greater portion of the distance back to where his old master lived in Virginia, and placed the last dollar, with interest, in his hands.
In talking to me about this, the man told me that he knew that he did not have to pay his debt, but that he had given his word to his master, and his word he had never broken. He felt that he could not enjoy his freedom till he had fulfilled his promise."
Douglas E. Moore.
God has entered into a contract with those He calls His own. And when I look at the state of humanity, even many who consider themselves to belong to Him, I surely could not blame God if He wanted to cancel the contract. But God is faithful. He has done everything He could do to keep us faithful. He sent His messenger and then came Himself. He continues to purge our sin form us, and He remains the faithful rock on whom we stand.
Are you honoring your part of the contract?
